Google Chat is tightening its security, giving you more control over who can reach you. These new privacy settings limit unwanted messages and space invitations, enhancing your overall chat experience. Let’s walk through how to implement these changes on both desktop and mobile.
Desktop
- First, open Google Chat on your computer.
- Next, at the top right, click Settings.
- Then, under 1:1 conversations and “Who can message you?,” select Known senders only. This ensures only people in your contacts can initiate direct chats.
- Following that, under Spaces and “Who can invite you to spaces?,” select Known senders only. This prevents unwanted additions to group conversations.
Android
- Initially,open the Google Chat app on your Android device.
- Then, at the top left, tap Menu and then Settings.
- After that, head to Manage invites.
- Subsequently, under 1:1 conversations and “Who can message you?,” select Known senders only.
- under Spaces and ”Who can invite you to spaces?,” select Known senders only.
I’ve found that limiting invitations to known senders substantially reduces distractions and keeps your chat focused on meaningful connections.Here’s what works best: regularly update your contacts list to ensure you don’t accidentally block someone you *do* want to hear from.
These changes are rolling out now,and you should have access to them very soon. Expect the feature to be widely available by early next week. This update represents a positive step toward a more secure and controlled communication environment within Google Chat.
